Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: 14. The Youngest Daughter of the Swordsmanship Clan (2)
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The dueling tournament hosted by Lorenzo di Fiore featured three distinct weight classes.
1. Commoners
2. Heroes ranked F to D, and superhumans of equivalent caliber
3. Heroes ranked C or higher, and superhumans of equivalent caliber
In other words, even non-heroes could participate.
That meant there were folks who showed up just for the entertainment.
Others joined to test their own skills.
And in a world short on spectacles, there were even nobles who came to revel in the savage bloodshed.
Of course, among them were managers scouting for promising heroes.
But the organizers weren't exactly hospitable toward managers.
"We cannot permit it."
I'd hoped to secure lodging inside Fiore Castle itself.
It was the safest option by far, and conveniently close to the tournament grounds.
But the servant rejected me outright.
"How dare a rootless manager..."
His refusal bordered on outright rudeness.
I could understand it, though.
Only invited VIPs were allowed to stay within the castle walls.
At minimum, an S-rank hero or a superhuman with comparable feats and renown.
Or perhaps a noble, a tycoon—someone with a special status, anyway.
And Lorenzo was the type who loved throwing his weight around with authority.
His underlings were bound to take after him.
"Hmph."
I stared silently at the servant, who held his chin high like he was posing for a portrait.
I knew Lorenzo personally.
So I could have demanded something like, "Tell your master to come out here."
But I had no desire to stir up trouble.
I wasn't dying to see the inside of Fiore Castle—it wasn't like I had high expectations.
More importantly, now that I knew Lorenzo was with the Anti-Imperial Alliance, I didn't want to provoke him unnecessarily.
We were acquaintances, sure, but not close friends.
"No helping it, then."
Vivian and Helena were fidgeting uncomfortably behind me, so I turned to leave.
But the servant's expression hardened as he glanced past me.
The area had been buzzing for a while now.
I'd assumed it was just the festive atmosphere...
But when I looked back, that wasn't it at all.
A young blond man in an ivory uniform adorned with gold trim and tassels, draped in a purple cloak, was approaching me.
Flanking him were members of the military police in dark, intimidating black armor, and soldiers of Aegis clad in bronze-plated iron plate.
Just the two of them, but that was plenty for an escort.
Wolfgang, captain of the military police.
Leon, leader of Aegis.
It had to be them.
I instantly recognized the young man at the center.
Considering his identity and purpose here, he probably had more soldiers waiting elsewhere.
With so many people around, he'd brought only these two along.
Crowds recognized him, bowing their heads or hesitantly drawing near.
Those who didn't know him looked curious at first, then asked around and recoiled in shock.
Vivian and Helena, clueless about him, stood awkwardly.
They whispered to each other.
"Wh-who is that...? Some big shot...?
> Helena, do you know...?"
"N-no idea...! B-but he's coming this way...!"
Their eyes turned to me.
I motioned reassuringly just as the young man reached me.
"Ian. Long time."
"Your Imperial Highness."
Oedipus Julianus Humil.
Eldest son of Emperor Julianus, first in line to the throne.
Vivian and Helena jumped at my greeting.
They hastily dropped to one knee.
"Ah, uh, y-your, um, Highness..."
"H-H-Hi-Hi-Highness, I-I-I, uh, h-heh..."
Vivian floundered helplessly,
while Helena stammered like she was shivering in the cold.
"...Enough. Stand up."
As they brushed off their knees and rose, the prince grinned.
"Still love teasing people, I see."
"Perish the thought. I merely observed proper etiquette."
Half-true, at least.
I hadn't tipped off Vivian or Helena at all.
Though I was surprised myself.
I'd expected some action from the emperor, but not the crown prince in person.
Vivian and Helena stole glances but stayed put.
"Ian's new heroes?"
"I'm Vivian..."
"M-my humble self, Helena, mere kindling..."
"You two as well. If Ian's allies are like this, it makes me uncomfortable."
"Eek!"
Thinking they'd offended the prince, they shot to their feet.
He gave them a wry smile.
Unlike his position might suggest, he wasn't overly authoritarian.
He harbored ambitions for the throne, but had a strangely soft heart.
"His Majesty gave me the gist."
The Anti-Imperial Alliance and the Holy Unified State.
Lorenzo, my exile—all that was implied.
"How may I assist..."
I trailed off mid-sentence.
Someone had appeared behind Oedipus.
I recognized the petite figure, and Oedipus sighed awkwardly.
"Sigh... I only learned she was here after we arrived."
The Superbia Managers' Guild suffered from two mental epidemics: Penny fever and Philip fever.
But long before that, the original Philip fever patient had emerged.
This person idolized Philip so much they even inserted "Philip" into their own name.
Compared to them, the guild's cases were mere amateurs.
And that severe case stood before me now.
Grace "Philip" Sophia Humil.
"Grace Phil...'
The emperor's youngest daughter—the one whose assassination I'd thwarted.
"Ahem! Grace humbly greets Sir Ian."
The princess, that is.
She curtsied gracefully, skirt hems pinched just so.
Her curly blond hair and amber eyes evoked a chick—adorable and fitting.
Looking up at me expectantly, she made my head throb.
Who on earth receives such deference from a princess?
Onlookers gathered, curiosity piqued.
Vivian and Helena stared at me, baffled.
I quietly asked Oedipus.
"Did His Majesty order my identity revealed to all?"
"...Doesn't seem like it. He probably didn't expect Grace here either. Would've stopped her if he knew..."
Fair enough.
She'd snuck out, by the looks of it.
The emperor must be fuming by now.
"...An honor, Your Highness."
"Hmph, hehe, hm. Hm!"
"We need a quiet spot."
Oedipus glanced behind me.
The servant who'd so curtly dismissed me earlier paled, eyes darting between me and the prince.
Oedipus wasn't one to wield authority lightly, but he could when needed.
He approached the man and issued a curt order.
"Escort us."
He revealed neither his identity nor purpose.
Nor our connection.
No need.
The imperial family commanded that much presence; the crown prince could afford such nonchalance.
Besides, the Fiore earldom was land granted to Lorenzo by the crown.
No true autonomy.
The servant could only bow deeply.
"We are honored to serve...!"
A few butlers emerged to guide us—startled by the prince, so not pre-notified.
"Th-this way, if you please..."
Public authority had its perks.
They groveled on their own.
Vivian and Helena stuck close as I followed the prince.
(Mercy and Kati, as fairy and cat, rode on me, spectating.)
"How's it feel to be popular?"
"Uncomfortable."
Mercy teased with a chuckle.
Vivian and Helena trailed silently behind.
Grace was glaring at them with narrowed eyes.
"......"
"Princess. I trust you've been well?"
My interjection eased their tension.
"Ah! Sir Ian! Thanks to you, I've been perfectly fine. Hehe."
Grace sidled up, chattering away.
Vivian and Helena sighed in relief behind us.
"And you, Sir Ian? In good health? Did you miss me? Oh, the letters I wrote every night thinking of you..."
Cradling Kati—who wagged her tail uncomfortably—I followed the prince.
*
The prince's sudden arrival turned the castle into chaos.
I couldn't see it from our parlor, but I heard.
Servants dashing through halls and stairs, voices frantic.
We were served light refreshments and tea amid casual talk.
"I got to know Ian while he managed the 1st Hero Party."
Oedipus explained to Vivian and Helena.
"Philip was always swamped, so most dealings went through Ian."
"I see..."
They nodded acceptably.
Small talk didn't drag on.
Neither the prince nor I had come for chitchat.
He dismissed Grace first.
"Eeeeng..."
"Grace."
One word from Oedipus silenced her whining.
She left under escort.
Aegis leader Leon followed her.
"Vivian, Helena. Once you're settled, let Kati know. Go enjoy the festival outside."
"Shall we?"
"Got it!"
They took the hint and left with Mercy and Kati.
Even attendants cleared out, leaving just me, Oedipus, and Wolfgang.
Now we could talk properly; Wolfgang grinned.
His smile carried a hint of reunion joy.
I returned a subtle nod.
"Here about Lorenzo?"
No ears around, but I lowered my voice anyway.
"What else?"
"Didn't notify him first, I take it."
"He's skittish. Might bolt. Plus, several on that list are missing."
Wolfgang elaborated.
"Military police suspect they're hiding in Fiore territory—or Fiore stashed them somewhere only he knows."
"Evidence?"
"Circumstantial. Searched every likely hideout—no trace. Makes the newly annexed Fiore the prime suspect."
"Hm."
Solid reasoning.
I didn't have all their intel, so I had to accept it.
"His Majesty suggested we enlist your aid if possible... Can you?"
Meaning, could my foresight help?
"I'll assist as much as I can. But note this upfront: Lorenzo's betrayal never happened in the future I foresaw."
"I see."
"So this is advice from Manager Ian, not the Seer. We're acquaintances, if not close."
It might sound unreliable, but I couldn't lie.
Not about something this big.
The prince had shown up unannounced, so he had a plan.
He wouldn't be utterly dependent on my foresight.
"More intel is always better. Judging it is on us. Speak."
From my 2nd playthrough knowledge of Lorenzo's personality, I began explaining.
Oedipus listened intently; Wolfgang took meticulous notes.
It didn't take long.
"...That's the gist."
"Unexpected haul. Living as a seer hones insight like that?"
"Can't deny the influence."
Oedipus chuckled lightly, then nodded to Wolfgang.
He produced an ornate leather pouch and handed it over.
"A gift."
"...For me?"
Out of nowhere?
Not really, though.
The palace had sent gifts before.
He waited expectantly, so I opened it.
A sleek glass vial held shimmering purple liquid.
"...Elixir?"
"Didn't know your tastes, so I went with the safe choice."
The pinnacle of all potions.
A miraculous drug that healed fatigue, disease, wounds with a sip.
The empire had four; I'd used one already.
This made two.
Issue was, only the emperor could authorize their release.
Reading my look, Oedipus cut in.
"From me."
"...My thanks."
From his words and the situation, I glimpsed the emperor's intent.
Sending the crown prince to a spot where Wolfgang and police sufficed.
Gifting an elixir only the emperor could approve, personally.
'...Grooming him for the throne already.'
I couldn't read their full minds.
The empire that built the hero system and its emperor held immense prestige.
Not an easy path... My political savvy fell short for specifics.
But I'd do my part.
*
We got two of the castle's largest, grandest rooms.
Lorenzo, prepping the tournament, must've heard by now.
The prince and I parted ways again.
He to meet Lorenzo.
Me to scout warriors.
'Last time, I mostly observed spectators... Should hit unvisited spots.'
Still, participants first.
Lower odds finding talent among non-entrants.
I found the full entrant roster.
A mix: armed entrants scanning names grimly; spectators browsing idly.
I squeezed in and skimmed it.
'Hmm... New names, but nothing memorable or standout.'
True across all classes.
Time for elsewhere? As I turned...
"Why can't I enter?"
A woman calmly protested to someone.
On-site registration denied, probably.
"Violates regulations."
The clerk shook his head firmly.
"It doesn't violate any rule. Look, I'm a superhuman for this class, and nowhere in the entries..."
"Sigh..."
The clerk rudely cut her off with a sigh.
"Direct order from Lord Lorenzo."
"...He personally rejected me?"
I'd meant to ignore it, but this was odd.
Lorenzo wanted maximum entrants.
Why single her out?
Who was she?
"Yes."
At the clerk's sharp reply, I looked her way.
Jet-black hair tied severely high, ends split.
Dry, brittle strands lacked nutrition; thinning patches everywhere.
'Mana circuits so tangled I can sense it from here... Too low-level?'
"Father, how far will he..."
"Please leave."
I'd lost interest and started away.
"Lucia di Fiore. There's no place for you here."
That name stopped me cold.
...di Fiore?
No superhuman Fiore named "Lucia" in my knowledge?
Wait.
Did she just say "father"?
Lorenzo's only superhuman child was his eldest son.
Another one?
I whipped around reflexively.
Our eyes met just as she turned to go.
Her face swathed in bandages; only dull purple eyes peeked out.
A memory from Memory Correction flashed.
'No way... the sole survivor?'
Eye contact was brief.
As she drifted away listlessly, I grabbed her on impulse.
"Wait..."
"...?"
Her calm yet wary gaze lifted to me.
Better than chasing after, I figured—but now what?
"...Why?"
Breathing ragged like an asthmatic; voice cracked.
Superhuman from mana circuits, but what ailment wrecked her so?
"Here to compete?"
"...Pardon?"
"The tournament. If you want in, I can help."
No clue.
Seemed like what she wanted, so I offered.
Might be the survivor—or know about them.
And it wasn't a lie.
My abilities could swing it; worst case, leverage the prince.
Bit abrupt, though—was this okay?
"Then help me."
Wait, just like that?